Hasta La Gadget!

We’re not sure how they feel in lands where fiber optic connections flow like wine, but in most of the developed world a up to 42 megabit per second internet connection feels mighty fine. Fine enough, in fact, that it can make sense to share it with your peers, and that’s why Netgear’s new MBR1310 and MBR2000 routers are here. They’re quad-band DC-HSPA+ units that dole out that precious 3G data over 802.11n WiFi or via four 10/100 wired ethernet ports, with the MBR2000 adding ADSL2+ for a wired backup option. If you’re lucky enough to be working with LTE in Europe, there’s the MBR1517 as well, virtually identical to the model announced for Verizon but presumably with different carrier support. No word on when, where, or how much any of these fallback connectivity options will cost. PR after the break.

Continue reading Netgear unveils a pair of 42Mbps HSPA+ routers, and one for LTE

Netgear unveils a pair of 42Mbps HSPA+ routers, and one for LTE originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 10:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thanks to Verizon’s blowout at CES, we’ve already been treated to a couple of LTE-friendly mobile hotspots from the likes of Samsung and Novatel Wireless, but Sierra Wireless is joining the crowd here at Mobile World Congress. The outfit has just revealed its two newest mobile hotpots, the AirCard 754S and 753S. The former supports dual-carrier LTE, while the latter handles dual-carrier HSPA+, enabling up to five WiFi devices to surf on either of the fastest two mobile superhighways. We’re told that the 753S can hit downlink rates as high as 42Mbps (and upload rates near 5.76Mbps) on a DC-HSPA+ network, while the 754S can reach 100Mbps (down) / 50Mbps (up) while operating on an LTE network. Both of these are right around the size of a deck of cards, and no software installation is required to get ’em working. There’s also an integrated LCD that provides a look at WiFi access information, battery life, network signal strength, and the number of devices connected, with audible alerts and a web admin interface available as well. The duo is expected to ship at some point during 2011’s second quarter, but there’s no news yet on which (if any) carriers will be picking them up.

Moving right along, Canada’s own Telus will be offering yet another new one from Sierra Wireless this March: the AirCard 319U USB modem, a device we recently spotted in the FCC’s database. This one promises download speeds of up to 42Mbps and upload speeds approaching 5.76Mbps, with a swiveling design that allows the body of the modem to be tucked up against the side of the notebook and protects it from being damaged by accidental bumps. The LTE-friendly AirCard 320U is the USB version of the 754S hotspot shown above, with an articulating and pivoting hinge that works with the widest possible variety of USB port placements, and if all goes well, it’ll ship during Q2 2011 for an undisclosed rate. Sierra plans on having Mac and PC support for the whole lot, and we’ll be digging for details surrounding price and availability.

Sierra Wireless intros dual-carrier HSPA+ / LTE AirCard 753S and 754S, with 319U and 320U in tow originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It may be a Vibrant with Froyo, a front-facing camera and a thing for Joseph Gordon-Levitt, but it’s still downright enviable when you consider the Galaxy S 4G‘s innate support for 21Mbps downloads. As of today, neither Samsung nor T-Mobile USA have been perfectly clear about how much they’d be demanding for this guy, but thanks to a leaked pricing sheet from Walmart, it looks as if it’ll be a solid $50 less than most new smartphones. Those who waltz into Wally World later this month will be able to take one home for $148.88 with a two-year service agreement, or if you’re the No Strings Attached kind of individual, $650. Ah, the choices we’re saddled with.

Samsung’s Galaxy S 4G for T-Mobile going for $149 at Walmart originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Don’t ever say Ma Bell lacks cahones. On the same day that existing Verizon customers began pre-ordering the CDMA’d iPhone 4, AT&T has come clean with what’s next on America’s largest GSM network. While announced at CES 2011, pricing and release information had eluded the luscious Atrix 4G… until now, that is. AT&T will begin pre-sales for the Froyo-powered Motorola Atrix 4G Android superphone on February 13th, with the standard $199.99 + two-year contract ($50 more than we were led to believe, mind you) getting one into your grubby mitts. We’re told to expect general availability on March 6th “or earlier,” putting it just about in line with the date we’d heard rumored. Moreover, those looking to buy will should have a difficult time laying off of the Laptop Dock bundle, which nets you an Atrix 4G as well as a $499.99 dock for the grand total of $499.99 on contract. You heard right — those who opt to buy the dock at a later time will be asked to shell out five Benjamins, whereas that same tally on day one will also include the phone. It should be noted, however, that the bundle only applies if you also sign your name to a Data Pro plan and tethering add-on, so be sure you’re down for that monthly hit before committing in haste. Oh, and just in case you simply can’t stop spending, the carrier is also offering an Entertainment Access Kit for Atrix 4G customers which includes the Motorola HD Multimedia Dock, a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and a remote control for $189.99.

Continue reading Motorola’s Atrix 4G coming to AT&T on March 6th for $200, bundled with Laptop Dock for $500

Motorola’s Atrix 4G coming to AT&T on March 6th for $200, bundled with Laptop Dock for $500 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 13:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T is dying for you to try out its newly branded 4G network,  and you’ll finally be able to with a new phone.

AT&T announced its HTC Inspire 4G on Tuesday, the first smartphone able to access the company’s HSPA+ 4G network. The phone will be available beginning Feb. 13, retailing for $100 with a two-year contract.

The phone comes with the list of standard features we’ve been seeing in 2011 smartphone debuts: a 1-GHz Snapdragon processor, 4GB of internal storage and microSD card storage expandable up to 32GB.

It’s also got the obligatory back facing 8-megapixel camera for glamor shots, front facing camera for video chat and general vanity purposes, and a fat 4.3-inch super AMOLED screen to admire all of those photos you’ve taken. (Welcome, everyone, to the age of Narcissus.)

The Inspire also has mobile hotspot capability, the first AT&T smartphone to include it. It will also be running Android, of course, though it’ll be version 2.2 (Froyo) rather than 2.3 (Gingerbread), the most recently released Android update for smartphones.

Since AT&T rolled out its 4G network earlier this year, the company has made big plans for 4G releases in 2011. AT&T expects to debut 20 different 4G devices over the next year, twice the number of upcoming 4G products from competitor Verizon. While Verizon currently offers LTE network technology to 4G subscribers in a limited capacity (38 metropolitan areas over 22 states, as of today), AT&T’s network currently consists of backhauled HSPA+ technology. AT&T is installing its own LTE network, however, to be rolled-out mid-2011 with full deployment estimated by 2013.

As the Inspire is the first AT&T 4G (or “3.5G,” or whatever you want to call it) handset to debut in 2011, we’re anxious to get our hands on one for road testing. When we do, we’ll let you know if the carrier’s 4G branding lives up to its name.

Photo: HTC Inspire/Courtesy of AT&T

See Also:

• Hands-On With HTC’s 4G Thunderbolt Smartphone
• Inspire
• Sprint’s HTC Evo Shift Hits the Shelves on January 9th
• Android Phones Fuel HTC Growth; More Planned for 2011
• Sprint, HTC Unveil First 4G Android Phone
• Hands-On With HTC’s 4G Thunderbolt Smartphone
• Wired Video: HTC Evo 4G Dissected